Think Flu Shots Now To Avoid Serious Illness

HEALTH & FITNESS - NOTEBOOK

October 1, 1996

Think flu shots now to avoid serious illness

The flu season is approaching and that means it is time to consider your annual flu shot. A flu shot taken in early October means that antibodies will peak in December, when the influenza virus begins to attack in earnest. Immunization against the flu does not guarantee protection, but it works in 70 percent to 80 percent of cases. Even if you do come down with the flu, you probably will have a milder case of it than those without immunization. Also, it can lessen the risk for serious complications, such as pneumonia. Even if you had a flu shot last year, you'll still need one for 1996 because strains of the flu virus often differ from year to year.

Cherry angioma spots associated with age

A common skin condition associated with aging is the appearance of cherry angiomas, bright red spots that can occur in groups. They are made up of clusters of blood vessels on the surface of the skin. No one knows what causes them. Cherry angiomas most often appear on the torso, sometimes on the face, scalp, neck, arms and legs, rarely on the hands and feet. They may start no bigger than pinhead-sized, but some can grow to be a quarter-inch or more across. Medically, they are harmless, but you may want them removed for cosmetic reasons. Don't try to remove them yourself, because they can bleed profusely. The most common removal methods used by physicians are laser vaporization, freezing and electrosurgery.

Early shots may prevent juvenile diabetes risk

Some researchers have speculated that perhaps half of all juvenile diabetes cases may be caused by the timing of childhood immunizations. Infants who receive any vaccination within the first six weeks of life show a lower risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes than children who are immunized later, according to data. Juvenile diabetes is an autoimmune disease that develops when the body starts attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Scientists do not know what triggers the disease. However, Dr. Barthelow Classen of Classen Immunotherapies in Baltimore theorizes that viruses passed from mother to infant during birth may stimulate the immune reaction that ultimately leads to diabetes. An early vaccination, he proposes, may prevent the newborn from becoming infected with those viruses.

Use it or lose it - muscle mass, that is

Unfortunately, if we don't actively train our muscles, we begin losing muscle mass after the age of 20 - at a rate of a half pound per year. In 20 years, you can lose an average of 10 pounds of muscle and replace it with 10 pounds of fat - all the while maintaining a consistent weight. So, the message is clear: Keep up the exercise.

Picture your big smile after wearing braces

For people considering braces, the American Association of Orthodontists is offering a free computer-imaging program called Smile Bank. Just send a close-up photo with a big toothy smile and orthodontic specialists will prepare an ''after-braces'' picture. Mail your photo and return address to the association, c/o SMILES, to 401 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63141-7816.

Stretching muscles is a natural stress buster

Because stretching requires you to hold a position and breathe deeply for several seconds, it is a natural stress buster. When a specific muscle is sore or tense, find a comfortable position that creates a gentle stretch for that area. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds as you inhale and exhale from your diaphragm.